International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Review, Vol.1, Issue - 18, Aug Page - 56

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1 TRAJECTORY OF SOME MGNREGA ACTIVITIES: A STUDY IN NAGAON AND MORIGAON DISTRICTS, ASSAM. Rajib Baruah Assistant Professor, Department of Statistics, A.D.P College, Assam, India. Abstract This paper aims at investigating into Trajectory of some MGNREGA activities in two districts of Assam. The aspects to be undertaken include Government Expenditure, Households engaged (Job cards), person- days, works completed and their distributions across social classification and blocks and over gender. Key Words: MGNREGA, Person- Days. 1. Introduction The Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is an Indian job guarantee scheme that was notified on 7 September, 2005.The Act came into ce on 2 nd February, It is the biggest employment providing programme ever started in a country the development of its rural areas. The main objective of the scheme is to enhance livelihood security in rural areas by providing 100days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members are willing to participate in unskilled manual work. This Scheme is different from the earlier employment programmes launched by the Government of India. The Act is an important step towards realization of the right to work and aims at arresting emigration of rural household in search of employment simultaneously enhancing people s livelihood on a sustained basis, by developing the economic and social infrastructure in rural areas. In order to fulfil Mahatma Gandhi dream of Gram Swaraj and also to create the sense of morality among all the stake holders of the scheme, the Government of India renamed the scheme as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in 2009 expecting a better implementation of the scheme. This scheme is on one hand demand-driven and on the other, treats employment as a right of the rural households. Thus, the scheme provides income directly to the unskilled workers in the rural areas. The MGNREGA has shown a significant improvement in different aspects. The number of households associated with MGNREGA works has been increasing consistently, the number of days which employment has been provided have also increased. Another important aspect of MGNREGS is the increasing participation of women in it. It not only provides employment to them but by giving wage rate equal to that of a man, it has empowered the women economically as well as socially. The first phase of MGNREGA was started on February 2, 2006 in 200 districts of the country including seven districts of Assam. In the year 2007, the second phase of NREGA had started where five districts of Assam were also included. The third phase started on April 1, 2008 where remaining 15 districts of Assam came under the purview of the Act. Hence, at present all the districts of Assam are implementing the scheme of MGNREGA. On March 31, 2013 Assam completed seventh year of MGNREGA implementation. MGNREGA has emerged as a very prominent area of interest among the academicians of the country and the world and a lot of studies have been taken up to explore analysis and discuss the various facts of the activities and its stages of implementations. The scheme had raised high expectations even bee inception particularly its potential to protect rural households from poverty and hunger, reduce rural-urban migration, as well as being instrumental in creating useful assets in rural areas. The present work is carried out in the lines of (Sing, 2013), (Das, 2013), (Kadrolkar, 2012) and (Das, 2012). MGNREGA Activities The major activities have been carried out in Nagaon and Morigaon districts under MGNREGA are rural connectivity, flood control, water conservation and water harvesting, drought proofing including afestation and tree plantation, micro irrigation, provision of irrigation facility to land development, renovation of traditional water bodies, land development, any other activity approved by MRD and work under Bharat Nirman. Among all the programmes, the scheme rural connectivity got top priority. It may be happened due to the prevailing poor road connectivity in the villages of two districts. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Review, Vol.1, Issue - 18, Aug Page - 56

2 2. Objectives Objectives of the study under taken go as: Trajectory of growth of the aspects such as Government expenditure, household engaged (job cards), person days and their distributions across social composition and block and over gender. An insight into the NREGA activities and employment status that have taken place. A Comparative study of these aspects would be made in two districts Nagaon and Morigaon. 3. Source of Data Data used under this study is of secondary in nature. The data are collected from District Rural Development Agency, Nagaon and Morigaon Districts from the year 2007 onwards. 4. Methodology Trajectories of different aspects of MGNREGA such as job cards issued and jobs provided by the card holders, employment generated, Government expenditures, person days, Wage, etc. across social compositions, gender have been empirically examined. Descriptive, Graphic details and curve fitting have been used in the study. 5. Results and Analysis 5.1 Job Card Issued: Job cards issued across social compositions in Nagaon District under MGNREGA is presented in a tabular from in Table These are expressed in the m of share in angle and in percentage (Relative frequency).the social compositions are SC, ST and Others and cards issued are spread over the years to So far as share in Job card issued is concerned, ST sharing is about 10% (9.68% to 10.46%) while in case of SC ranges of share is between 11.70% to 16.78%. In case of others category range in share varies from 73.05% to 77.83% over the implementation periods. Table 5.1.1: Job Cards Issued Across Social Compositions in Nagaon District Job Total Job Job Relative Frequency Share in Percentage (%) cards No. of cards cards issued job issued issued cards SC ST Others SC ST Others SC ST Others issued Source: District Rural Development Agency, Nagaon District The curve derived is y t , which corroborates the scatter plot. Sharing of Job cards is displayed in the Pie diagram: International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Review, Vol.1, Issue - 18, Aug Page - 57

3 Job cards issued across social compositions in Morigaon District under MGNREGA are presented in a tabular from in Table These are expressed in the m of share in angle and in percentage (Relative frequency). The social compositions are SC, ST and Others and cards issued are spread over the years to So far as share in Job card issued is concerned, ST sharing is about 17% (16.77% to 17.96%) while in case of SC ranges of share is between12.84% to 14.21%. In case of others category range in share varies from 67.83% to 70.39% over the implementation periods. Table 5.1.2: Job Cards Issued Across Social Compositions in Morigaon District Total No. Job cards Job cards Relative Frequency of job issued issued cards ST Others issued Job cards issued SC Share in Percentage (%) SC ST Others SC ST Others Source: District Rural Development Agency, Morigaon District International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Review, Vol.1, Issue - 18, Aug Page - 58

4 The curve derived is y 12181t 0.098, which corroborates the scatter plot. Sharing of Job cards is displayed in the Pie diagram: 5.2 Provided (Person Days Generated): Person days generated/ provided across social compositions and gender over the period under study in Nagaon district is exhibited in the Table Person days SC appear to range from 9.79% to 26.86% that ST ranges from 6.84% to 22.63%, while in case of others it ranges from 50.51% to 82.91%. The person days generated are observed to be 81.96% and 82.91% in and in others- category. While considering the International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Review, Vol.1, Issue - 18, Aug Page - 59

5 person days over gender it is found that person days generated women is found to be of not encouraging, as it ranges from 3.57% to 12.79% over the period. It indicates a poor women participation in the MGNREGA. Table 5.2.1: Person Days Generated Over Social Composition and Gender in Nagaon District Total jobs provided SCs SCs STs STs Others jobs Others Women jobs Women Source: District Rural Development Agency, Nagaon District Person days generated/ provided across social compositions and gender over the period under study in Morigaon district is exhibited in the Table Person days SC appear to range from 8.20% to 16.35% that ST ranges from 9.24% to 19.98%, while in case of others it ranges from 64.79% to 82.56%. The person days generated are observed to be 80.20% and 82.56% in and in others- category. While considering the person days over gender it is found that person days generated women is found to be ranges from 6.66% to 15.40% over the period, which is quite encouraging. In Morigaon district female participation in MGNREGA is moderately high compared to Nagaon. Table 5.2.2: Person Days Generated Over Social Composition and Gender in Morigaon District Total jobs provided SCs SCs STs STs Others jobs Others Women jobs Women Source: District Rural Development Agency, Morigaon District 5.3 Employment Status: Considering the employment status under MGNREGA in Nagaon district, Table is developed. From table we have seen that jobs demanded are equal to jobs provided by the MGNREGA in all the years. However, in regard to completion of 100 days by households is quite discouraging. In none completed 100 days while during to the percentages of completion of 100 days are very poor, they range from.07% to a maximum of 1.53%. In fine, the trajectory of completion of 100 days is not healthy. Table 5.3.1: Employment Status under MGNREGA in Nagaon District Job Card 100 Days Completed Issued(Hh) Demanded(Hh) Provided(Hh) Completed(Hh) 100 days(hh) Source: District Rural Development Agency, Nagaon District Hh: No of Household International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Review, Vol.1, Issue - 18, Aug Page - 60

6 Considering the employment status under MGNREGA in Morigaon district, Table is developed. From table we have seen that jobs demanded are more or less equal to jobs provided by the MGNREGA in all the years. However, in regard to completion of 100 days by households is quite discouraging. During to the percentages of completion of 100 days are very poor; they range from 0.23% to a maximum of 1.97%. In fine, the trajectory of completion of 100 days is not healthy. However the permance in Morigaon is higher to a fault than that of Nagaon : Employment Status under MGNREGA in Morigaon District Job Card Issued(Hh) Demanded(Hh) Provided(Hh) 100 Days Completed(Hh) Completed 100 days(hh) Source: District Rural Development Agency, Morigaon District Hh: No of Household 5.4 Activities (completed) Under MGNREGA and Government Spending: Based on the activities completed under MGNREGA and the Government spending in Nagaon district Table is prepared. It is observed that under MGNREGA Government has given higher emphasis on rural connectivity (Activity 1). Government spending on Activity1 ranges from 22.59% to70.1%. In , percentages of spending over the activities (Activity 1 to 9) are found to be 70.1% in Activity 1, 19.63% in Activity 4, 10.27% in Activity 8, while no spending was made in other activities. In , percentages of spending over the Activities are found to be maximum of 69.67% in Activity 1, while spending is minimum of 0.33% in Activity 6. In , percentages of spending over the Activities are found to be maximum of 43.57% in Activity1, while spending is minimum of 1% in Activity 4, while no spending was made in Activity 9. In , percentages of spending over the Activities are found to be maximum of 42.26% in Activity 3, while spending is minimum of 1.34% in Activity 6. In , percentages of spending over the Activities are found to be maximum of 35.06% in Activity 1,while spending is minimum of 0.07% in Activity 6. Table 5.4.1: Activity under MGNREGA and Government Spending (Rs. In lakh) in Nagaon District Activity %of Spending Govt. Spending Spending %of Spending %of Spending %of Spending Total Source: District Rural Development Agency, Nagaon District International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Review, Vol.1, Issue - 18, Aug Page - 61

7 Activity 1: Rural connectivity Activity 2: Flood control and protection Activity 3: Water conservation and water harvesting Activity 4: Drought proofing Activity 5: Micro irrigation works Activity 6: Provision of irrigation facility to land owned Activity 7: Renovation of traditional water bodies Activity 8: Land development Activity 9: Any other activity approved by MRD Based on the activities completed under MGNREGA and the Government spending in Morigaon district Table is prepared. It is observed that under MGNREGA Government has given higher emphasis on rural connectivity (Activity 1). Government spending on Activity1 ranges from 40.60% to 64.28%. In , percentages of spending over the activities (Activity 1 to 9) are found to be 44.59% in Activity 1, 16.62% in Activity 2, 7.56% in Activity 3, 3.76% in Activity 4, 4.20% in Activity 5, 7.81% in Activity 7, 15.14% in Activity 8, 0.32% in Activity 9, while no spending was made in activity 6. In , percentages of spending over the Activities are found to be maximum of 54.70% in Activity 1, while spending is minimum of 2.09% in Activity 3, while no spending was made in Activity 9. In , percentages of spending over the Activities are found to be maximum of 64.28% in Activity1, while spending is minimum of 0.22% in Activity 6, while no spending was made in Activity 9. In , percentages of spending over the Activities are found to be maximum of 51.07% in Activity 1, while spending is minimum of 0.19% in Activity 6, while no spending was made in Activity 9. In , percentages of spending over the Activities are found to be maximum of 40.72% in Activity 1, while spending is minimum of 0.13% in Activity 7, while no spending was made in Activity 9. In , percentages of spending over the Activities are found to be maximum of 40.60% in Activity 1, while spending is minimum of 0.30% in Activity 7, while no spending was made in Activity 3. So far as Activities under MGNREGA are concerned Government spending in Morigaon district is found to be higher than that Nagaon. Both the Administrations of the district are found engage in giving more emphasis on rural connectivity. Table: 5.4.2: Activity under MGNREGA and Government Spending (Rs. In lakh) in Morigaon District Activity Spending Spending Spending Spending Spending Govt. Spending Spending Total Source: District Rural Development Agency, Morigaon District 6. Conclusion The conclusions that may be drawn from the study go as follows: There is a good amount of parity between jobs demanded and jobs provided. This is observed in both the districts. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Review, Vol.1, Issue - 18, Aug Page - 62

8 Percentages of jobs provided to SC in Morigaon district (Morigaon is SC & ST population dominated district) ranges from 8.20% to 16.35%, while in Nagaon the range starts from 9.79% to 26.86%. In case of ST percentages of jobs provided ranges from 9.24% to 19.98% in Morigaon district, while in Nagaon it ranges from 6.84% to 22.63%. As regards, jobs provided to others in Morigaon district it ranges from 64.79% to 82.56%. On the other hand, in Nagaon it ranges from 50.91% to 81.96%. Number of jobs provided to women in Morigaon district is higher than that of Nagaon. In regard to employment status, permance in completing 100 days is dismal in figure. Percentage of completed 100 days starts from 0.07% to a maximum of 1.3% in Nagaon, while the very figure starts from 0.23% to a maximum of 1.97% in Morigaon. References 1. Das. Dinesh (2012), Examining India s Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA): Its Impact and Women s Participation, International Journal of Research in management, Issue 2, vol Das. Sanjay (2013), A Brief Scanning on Permance of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act in Assam, American Journal of Rural Development. Vol.1. No.3, Sing.Surendra (2013), MGNREGA: 100 days Employment Guarantee in Bundelkhand (M.P.)?, International Journal of Management and Development Studies. Vol. 2. No Kadrolkar. M (2012), An Impact Assessment Study of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantees Act (MGNREGA), Global Research Analysis. Vol. 1. No Ministry of Rural Development (2008), The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005(NREGA), Operational Guidelines. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Review, Vol.1, Issue - 18, Aug Page - 63